Fractional CMOs provide strategic leadership. Marketing agencies provide tactical execution. Choosing wrong wastes money and time. Here's how to figure out which you actually need.
The Problem
How We Help
Here's how to figure out which you actually need.
If your general company needs comparison leadership, we should talk.
Expand your marketing team output with our experts
Let us take a custom approach to your growth goals by assembling and leading the best-in-class marketing team to support your next stage.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have both a fractional CMO and a marketing agency?
Yes, and it's often the best setup. The fractional CMO sets strategy, selects and manages the agency, and ensures execution aligns with business objectives. The agency handles daily campaign execution, creative production, and channel optimization. Clear role definition prevents overlap.
How do I know if my problem is strategy or execution?
Ask: Do you know exactly what marketing should be doing but lack capacity to do it? That's an execution gap — hire an agency. Are you spending money on marketing but unsure if it's the right approach, right channels, or right positioning? That's a strategy gap — hire a fractional CMO.
What happens when a fractional CMO identifies execution gaps?
A good fractional CMO helps you solve them — by hiring internal team members, selecting and managing agencies, or building processes that increase internal team output. The strategic role includes building the execution infrastructure, not just defining strategy.
How much does a growth strategy engagement cost?
Growth strategy engagements typically range from $15K-$30K per month depending on scope and company complexity. This includes a dedicated growth lead, weekly execution support, and monthly strategy sessions. Compared to hiring a VP of Growth ($200K-$350K fully loaded), you get senior expertise and systematic frameworks without the hiring risk or overhead.
How is this different from hiring a growth marketing agency?
Agencies execute campaigns within channels. Growth strategy is about choosing the right channels, setting the right targets, and building systems that compound. We work at the strategic layer — determining where to invest, how to measure, and when to pivot. Many of our clients work with agencies for execution; we make sure that execution is pointed in the right direction.
How do you measure growth strategy effectiveness?
We set OKRs tied to business outcomes — revenue growth rate, CAC improvement, pipeline velocity, channel efficiency — not vanity metrics. Monthly reports track progress against these targets with clear attribution. If a strategy is not working, we catch it early through structured experimentation and adjust before budget is wasted.
